“We've been cultivating vineyards on Etna since 1727. Day after day, the vines extend their roots into the earth. The wines mature over time, and even the people grow in the terroir. Our family has refined its skills on Etna over 10 generations.”
The 18 hectares of vineyards were planted in 1727 at 700m above sea level on the Eastern side of Mount Etna. Their estate is geologically distinct compared to most others. Volcanic activity long ago caused a fault-line into the ocean in their immediate area. This revealed older geological strata meaning their soils are coloured red as opposed to the typical black of most Etna soils. There’s also a microclimate meaning the vineyards receive 10 x more rain than the Sicilian annual average, vital in a characteristically dry growing season. The diurnal range is substantial with up to 30 degrees Celsius difference between day and night.
https://www.villagrande.it/en/barone_di_villagrande_en/
